So Long Phil Spector
Well, it seems that it's pretty much over for Phil Spector. The 67-year-old creator of the "wall of sound" technique is accused of murdering actress Lana Clarkson, and up until today I was rather on the fence of his guilt or innocence (when I say "on the fence" I mean I think he's guilty but maybe a hint of reasonable doubt). Today in court the coroner testified that Clarkson's tongue was bruised, which proved, among other things, that the gun was forced into her mouth, and thus rules out suicide, and thus Phil Spector is pretty much fucked.


Phil Spector's defense has been riding solely on the fact that Clarkson killed herself and that the scientific evidence would thus prove this to be true. Now that the coroner has testified I find it hard to see anything other than a guilty verdict.


Phil Spector has never been a stranger to reclusive behavior. He has pulled guns on many women and musicians, and frankly I'm surprised that it's taken this long to bring him in on some sort of weapons charge. He has been known to have pulled guns on John Lennon and Joey Ramone. He produced John Lennon's and George Harrison's first solo records "Plastic Ono Band" and "All Things Must Pass," as well as Lennon's 1971 "Imagine" album.


So, the reason I am writing this blog about Spector is because I have been contemplating, what will he be remembered for? I would like to think that he will be remembered for the brilliant music he wrote and produced in the early to mid-60s, although the media will only remember him as a crazed murderer; a misunderstood recluse who is no longer relevant, not recognizing the fact that once they sit behind the wheel of their cars and tune their radio to any oldies station, half of those songs have either the influence or personal touch of Spector. His sound is unmistakeable and reinvented by the likes of Brian Wilson and Jon Brion, even Noel Gallagher was referenced to Spector when Oasis' 1997 album "Be Here Now" was released.

Spector wrote and recorded some of the most groundbreaking songs of his generation; songs that are still cherished today. He spawned a ton of hit singles throughout the 60s, and even had a hit single four years ago when he produced Starsailor's album "Silence is Easy." The man produced some of my favorite personal recordings and I feel that he should be remembered as a pioneer of rock 'n' roll.


Those unfamiliar with Spector's work should check out a few of these recordings:
“Da Doo Ron Ron,” Crystals (6/08/63, #3)
“Be My Baby,” Ronettes (10/12/63, #2)
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” Righteous Brothers (2/06/65, #1)
“River Deep - Mountain High,” Ike and Tina Turner (6/18/66, #88)
“Mother,” John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band (1/20/71, #43)
“What Is Life,” George Harrison (3/27/71, #10)
“Jealous Guy,” John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band (10/22/88, #80)
“Pretty Little Angel Eyes,” Curtis Lee (8/07/61, #7)
“Unchained Melody,” Righteous Brothers (reissue) (10/20/90, #13)
“Silence Is Easy,” Starsailor (01/09/03, #8)
“Then He Kissed Me,” Crystals (9/14/63, #6)

The Future Is Now!!!

Not much has been going on today in the newsroom, only brief excitement as a plane that took off from Dulles airport to Bejing, China had to make a return when an engine gave out; however, I found a story about a new piece of technology being developed in Japan.

It is a television screen that is .3mm thin and can actually bend and not be broken. The future is here ladies and gentleman. Movies like Minority Report made us think about future technology and what we might be capable of, but this is just insane.

Sony plan to make this bendable screen by the end of the year available in an 11 inch format. They have also said that it is so durable that it could be used on t-shirts in the future. "In the future, it could get wrapped around a lamppost or a person's wrist, even worn as clothing," suggests Sony spokesman Chisato Kitsukawa. "Perhaps it can be put up like wallpaper."
You can see this contraption on video at WUSA9.com

I am just absolutely amazed by this. No it is not an earth-shattering discovery and it won't cure AIDS, but holy shit it is a razor-thin screen that won't break!

PRESIDENT BUSH: MEIN FÜHRER

Well, I'm going to have to thank my brother for finding me this information, but it seems that we have a possible dictatorship on our hands. The best part of this information is that it's not being reported by any news outlets in the United States. Why is it that I have to find key information from the Mobtown Shank and Globalresearch.ca instead of CNN?

The initiative is called the National and Homeland Security Presidential Directive, which means that in case of a "catastrophic event" the President is able to obtain what can best be described as a "absolute power," or a "dictatorship." The bill ensures that “the continued function of our form of government under the Constitution, including the functioning of the three separate branches of government,” and states, “The President shall lead the activities of the Federal Government for ensuring constitutional government." This basically means that the President can institute and interpret the constitution how he sees fit, and he's done a really great job of that so far.

The bill defines a "catastrophic event" as: "any incident, regardless of location, that results in extraordinary levels of mass casualties, damage, or disruption severely affecting the U.S. population, infrastructure, environment, economy, or government functions." If there is another 9/11-type attack, or a Hurricane Katrina, Rita, or even an earthquake, since under a provision that states the President can use this power in “localized acts of nature, accidents, and technological or attack-related emergencies,” and has control over the other two branches of government.

So why is he putting this in place now? Maindemocrats.org wonders if the President is passing this now to protect himself against impeachment.

So how is it that the President can have such a bill passed? How is it that the U.S. media does not report on such things? There is no simple answer to this question. I passed the article and information around the newsroom here at WUSA9 in D.C., and I still have no clue if we will actually air any of this information. Shame on congress for letting this one slip through their fingers... They must have been out to lunch, or worse, waiting to go to lunch, or whatever it is they do over there.

Now Where Are We Supposed To Go???

Why is it that the city of Baltimore cannot have a decent place to hear music without someone closing the doors? For the past seven years I have been not only a spectator, but a performer in the Baltimore club scene. My band Evolve played at almost every club this town had to offer, from Fletchers to the Brass Monkey.

Never had we found our niche amongst the dying population of indie rock kids until I walked into the Lo-Fi Social Club in Brooklyn, MD. A huge warehouse on Hanover street, that is so isolated you would never know it was the place to be.

The indie rock kids of Baltimore are a different breed. They are a part of a "scene" yet do not want to be scenesters, which is kind of like wanting to be wealthy without using money. So I was saddened that the Baltimore City inspectors, or whatever you want to call them, decided to shut down the Lo-Fi Social Club. The name fits exactly what this place was. A chill hangout for any scene to come and listen to music for a $5 cover and an open bar.

Never in the seven years that I've been trolling around this scene has a place welcomed the Baltimore music scene with such open arms. The pool table was free, there were couches lined along each room and interesting art work on the walls. The separation of the rooms was such that if you needed to talk without the blaring music you were able to do so. The staff (maybe three people) is extremely friendly, and I had the chance to meet with Neil, the club's owner one night when I saw Heroin U.K. I told him that I really respected what he was doing and looked forward to playing his club. I was disheartened to see the message on his Web site just a few minutes ago saying that he was shutting the club down until he got the OK from the City.

It's amazing to me that the only way a scene can upstart in this town is if no one knows about the place, and there is free booze. To get 100 people to go to a Fletchers show for $5 is like asking someone to jump through a hoop of fire with a blindfold, and charging them $5 to do it; However, no matter who is playing on a Friday at the Lo-Fi Social Club there are at least 60 people looking to enjoy some tunes and get a little tipsy.

Cheers to Neil and his attempt to keep a good thing going, and give a little spice to a dying rock scene!

RECORD REVIEW
SKY BLUE SKY = OLD MAN OLD
I have always been an avid Wilco fan ever since my brother introduced me to "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot" in late 2002.

Right away I was amazed at Jeff Tweedy's ability to sing with so much pain in his chest, you could actually feel the chunks rising in his throat (you could later see them live on the DVD "I'm Trying To Break Your Heart). It was and still is one of the most beautiful records ever recorded and sent Wilco to the forefront of alternative/country success.

Since then they have released "A Ghost Is Born" in 2004, which was also a "heartbreaking work of staggering genius," and I hoped that a follow-up might be the climax I had been anticipating for the last five years.

Unfortunately, Wilco did not decide to beef up their sound, but rather take a step into normalcy and maybe even obscurity with their latest endeavor "Sky Blue Sky." I must say, right away I was turned off simply by the cover art, since my brother's (Brian Adam Ant) album "Separation Celebration," already used these image in his CD tray (and I had to listen to him bitch about it for a month), but this album is simply.... daft.

Rolling Stone decided to give it four stars, and I read the review for the album and it seems to me that Rob Sheffield really didn't care much for the album either, despite the ultra-positive rating.


"Sky Blue Sky" is ratty and boring. Tweedy's voice never takes off, and neither do his songs. The crescendos at the end of songs are usually predictable, and what used to be great guitar licks and noises are quite abrasive. When Wilco is trying to be clever musically, they sound more technical than trivial.

Tweedy uses more jazz chords, and that's great for my grandfather, but it doesn't do much for me or for this supposed rock band. Granted, I did only give this album two listens, and I did enjoy the first track "Either Way." It's a very sweet song and a great first track, but it doesn't really represent the rest of the album, which is disappointing and deceiving.

All in all I would give this album 3 out of 10.

Summer In The City And I Can't Find A Decent Parking Spot!!

During a horrendous thunderstorm yesterday in New York City this picture was taken of lightning hitting the Empire State Building.

There was apparently no damage to the building and the famous building recieves about 100 lightning strikes a year according to the Daily Mail. I just thought I'd share one of the most amazing displays of mother nature I've ever seen captured on camera.

Today has been a pretty slow news day. The weirdest story I have heard today was a man sent some dog shit in the mail attached to his parking ticket. Yesterday I received my third parking ticket, and if I had a dog the city of Baltimore might be receiving an extra special package with my parking ticket as well; However, I don't and therefore might have to improvise... Or maybe just send a damn check for $42. I cannot stand parking in the city, especially Baltimore where everywhere is 2 hour parking.

What I want to know is how do these meter maids know how long your car is there when there are no meters?? Are they just driving around in circles memorizing where each car is specifically placed? Maybe they take a polaroid of the street for reference. What a waste.